There are some other ways to stiffen the rear beam without poking holes in it. I replaced the rubber bushings with delerin. This forces the beam to twist about the bushing axes, rather than the middle of the beam section. I also added an autotech/neuspeed style rear bar, and run a GLI front bar (the biggest stock A2 option). Now I am not autocrossing, so I may not have the same perspective as you folks, but I have not found that a rear bar induces "snap" oversteer (though drivers certainly can make that mistake more dramatically with one).

There are some alternate schools of thought that getting good rotation can be done by softening the rear beam bushings - see Mike Ogren's fwd VW racing guide for more info.

There are some other ways to stiffen the rear beam without poking holes in it. I replaced the rubber bushings with delerin. This forces the beam to twist about the bushing axes, rather than the middle of the beam section. I also added an autotech/neuspeed style rear bar, and run a GLI front bar (the biggest stock A2 option). Now I am not autocrossing, so I may not have the same perspective as you folks, but I have not found that a rear bar induces "snap" oversteer (though drivers certainly can make that mistake more dramatically with one).

There are some alternate schools of thought that getting good rotation can be done by softening the rear beam bushings - see Mike Ogren's fwd VW racing guide for more info.

When winning a race is more important that your car's longevity (you drive like Mario Andretti i.e. win or die trying) the Shine bar is good. A race car is NOT a street car. A race car is used on the track only. It does not run that many miles. A race car is rebuilt more than a street car.

This is true; whether you like the design or not, the SRS bar is not intended for street use. I know many racers that run this bar on rabbits, sciroccos, golf.....and have never had this issue. For me I would never run one on my street car because it's overkill and it does put more stress on the beam. I have toyed with putting a similar type of bar on my '75 but I think I'd rather weld it to the beam and not drill holes.

This is true; whether you like the design or not, the SRS bar is not intended for street use. I know many racers that run this bar on rabbits, sciroccos, golf.....and have never had this issue. For me I would never run one on my street car because it's overkill and it does put more stress on the beam. I have toyed with putting a similar type of bar on my '75 but I think I'd rather weld it to the beam and not drill holes.

The only problem is they marketed it as part of their "real street" suspension. They should market it as a race only part and warn anyone who wants to use it on a street car that it may damage the axle over time.

It is a stiffer material than poly. I don't know exactly who offers them, but a few racing focused vendors have had them in years past. They should be fairly straightforward to make if you have access to a lathe or a shop with one.